Eugenio J Bortone

US Patent:

D458434, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Sep 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/148356

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Recot, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

0101

US Classification:

D 1125

US Patent:

6607772, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071904

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Recot, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

A21D 600

US Classification:

426516, 99472, 4253823, 426500

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the production of a braid shaped puffed extrudate. A tube or other peripheral containment vessel is placed at the exit end of an extruder die that produces two or more extrudate streams. A circular air stream is then introduced into the peripheral containment vessel downstream of the glass transition point, thereby causing the extrudate streams to braid together within the containment vessel.

US Patent:

6722873, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952574

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Recot, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

B29C 5314

US Classification:

425319, 425377, 425516, 264555

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the production of a spiral or coil shaped puffed extrudate. A tube or other peripheral containment vessel is placed at the exit end of an extruder die. A force or resistance is then applied on the extrudate downstream of the glass transition point, thereby causing the extrudate to back up and coil in the containment vessel.

US Patent:

D490589, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Jul 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/163128

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

0101

US Classification:

D 1125

US Patent:

D492087, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Dec 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/172227

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

0101

US Classification:

D 1125, 426500

US Patent:

6770233, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271118

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX
Edward Leon Ouellette - Corinth TX

Assignee:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

B29C 4700

US Classification:

264167, 2642102, 425320, 4253824

Abstract:

An improved method of applying a controlled pressure to the flapper in a curly puff production apparatus. The present invention uses a pneumatic system to apply a pressure to a flapper. The invention utilizes a rotary actuator that applies a near constant pressure to the flapper. Alternatively, a pair of telescoping tubes connected to the flapper and an air pressure source can apply a near constant pressure to either the proximate end or the distal end of the flapper. Further in the alternative, a linear actuator can be used to provide a near constant pressure to the flapper. As a result of applying a constant pressure to the flapper, the pitch in the curls of the curly puff extrudate can be more predictably controlled.

US Patent:

6783787, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Mar 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/109398

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX

Assignee:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A23P 112

US Classification:

426516, 4251311, 4251331, 4253824, 425467, 426449

Abstract:

The present invention comprises an improved extruder die assembly and method for using same to improve the quality of dimensional design aspects of extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products. The improved system includes an improved extruder die assembly comprising an imprinting insert element having a first aperture defined therethrough and at least one prong extending into the first aperture, and a forming insert element having a second aperture defined therethrough and positioned downstream from the imprinting insert element, wherein the shape of the second aperture is defined by at least one projection extending into the second aperture, and wherein each of the at least one projection aligns with a prong when the first and second apertures are coaxially aligned. The improved extruder die assembly of the present invention is designed for adaptation to a wide variety of commercial-grade extrusion devices common in the food industry.

US Patent:

6797213, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/270756

Inventors:

Eugenio Bortone - Frisco TX
Daniel Eugene Orr - Addison TX
Devang Jitendra Sutaria - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc - Plano TX

International Classification:

B29C 4700

US Classification:

264143, 264145, 426518

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for cutting a puff extrudate utilizing a blade that passes through the extrudate while the extrudate is in a viscous melt stage. The present invention utilizes a tube to facilitate production of a curly puff extrudate. A gap is provided in between the tube and the extruder die to allow a blade to access the extrudate as it exits an orifice in the die. The blade accesses the extrudate at the viscous melt stage, before the extrudate has cooled and hardened. The blade nicks the extrudate, as opposed to completely cutting it, which allows the extrudate to remain connected throughout processing such as curling in the containment tube. The gap also allows steam to be vented form the extrudate as it exits the orifice in the die. The nicked extrudate separates when fried or baked.